In many ways, the history of the Lou Marsh Trophy is the history of sports in Canada.

The Pashby Foundation along with Canada's Sports Hall of Fame established this award in 2004.

On August 11, 2005, Canada's Sports Hall of Fame, working with the Toronto Blue Jays, announced the creation of the Tom Cheek Media Leadership Award honouring from time to time an individual who "plays a vital role in promoting Canadian sport in an extraordinary and enduring way."